Anthony R. Cashmore1
-Author Affiliations
Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6018
Abstract
It is widely believed, at least in scientific circles, that living systems, including mankind, obey the natural physical laws. However, it is also commonly accepted that man has the capacity to make “free” conscious decisions that do not simply reflect the chemical makeup of the individual at the time of decision—this chemical makeup reflecting both the genetic and environmental history and a degree of stochasticism. Whereas philosophers have discussed for centuries the apparent lack of a causal component for free will, many biologists still seem to be remarkably at ease with this notion of free will; and furthermore, our judicial system is based on such a belief. It is the author’s contention that a belief in free will is nothing other than a continuing belief in vitalism—something biologists proudly believe they discarded well over 100 years ago.
consciousness free will stochasticism criminal law vitalism
Footnotes
1E-mail: cashmore@sas.upenn.edu.
This contribution is part of the special series of Inaugural Articles by members of the National Academy of Sciences elected in 2003.
Contributed by Anthony R. Cashmore, January 12, 2010 (sent for review September 9, 2009)
Author contributions: A.R.C. wrote the paper.
The author declares no conflict of interest.
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NOTA CAUSTICANTE DESTE BLOGGER:
Ideias têm consequência: leiam as raízes deste pensamento no The Descent of Man, de Charles Robert Darwin, o homem que teve a maior ideia que toda a humanidade já teve...
Se eu matar um darwinista, ou vários darwinistas, ou a todos os darwinistas, não importa, segundo este artigo a lei não pode me punir, pois eu não tenho livre vontade...
Cruz, credo!!! É a natureza com as garras ensanguentadas a la Darwin...
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NOTA CAUSTICANTE DESTE BLOGGER:
Ideias têm consequência: leiam as raízes deste pensamento no The Descent of Man, de Charles Robert Darwin, o homem que teve a maior ideia que toda a humanidade já teve...
Se eu matar um darwinista, ou vários darwinistas, ou a todos os darwinistas, não importa, segundo este artigo a lei não pode me punir, pois eu não tenho livre vontade...
Cruz, credo!!! É a natureza com as garras ensanguentadas a la Darwin...
